Kukla's Korner Hockey

Bruce Boudreau raised a few eyebrows Monday night when, just two games into the season, he said he expects more out of Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin and is unwilling to accept excuses.

On Wednesday, Ovechkin was asked to comment on his coach’s evaluation of his play and was terse with his responses.

“I think everybody can be better,” Ovechkin said after Thursday’s practice, where he was matched with center Nicklas Backstrom and new right wing Troy Brouwer. “I think that has to be between me and him and I don’t want to comment on it.”

Asked if he agrees with Boudreau’s assessment, Ovechkin replied, “I just said I don’t want to comment on it.”

Comments

“Asked if he agrees with Boudreau’s assessment, Ovechkin replied, “I just said I don’t want to comment on it.””
“Ovechkin seemed to be still seething over being designated “Juice Boy.” As punishment for being the first player knocked out of a post-practice shooting contest, Ovevhkin had to serve his teammates bottles of Gatorade.”

Hahahaha, yes, it was from losing juice boy. Nothing to do with asking the same question seconds after he answered it the first time. Nothing to do with his coach of four(?) years calling him out after game 2.

The guy had to fly 15 times zones in 2 days and then plays like crap. What’s the surprise? Bruce continues to act like a guy who knows his time is up, from playing games with the media on who’s playing and who’s not, to benching his goalie and 2nd line Center. Dude, it’s the first week, what the hell are you going to be like come April? Bottom line is the players know he’s a player’s coach who’s acting tough so they will tune him out.

Boudreau’s in a catch-22, here. If he lets his fancy players (Green, Backstrom, OV, Semin) underachieve, as they have been, he’s going to be fired. If he kicks them in the butt and alienates them, he’s also going to be fired. His only hope is to kick them in the butt and hope they get better.

Posted by
steviesteve
on 10/12/11 at 10:25 PM ET

steviesteve Yep He is in a Predicament of his own making, He let them them run free for to long & now he is on a short leash as coach & he is trying to rein them in & take control that he gave away long ago